Bessie L. Rucker

Bessie attended Austin Public Schools until the 6th Grade when the family left Austin in 1941 and moved to Sacramento, California, where she attended school until the 12th Grade. The family returned to Austin after the death of her mother in 1952. Bessie completed her 12th Grade education in the Austin Public School District and graduated from the Old LC Anderson High School.

Bessie was united in marriage to Frank Eli Rucker in 1954 and two daughters were born to this union, Almeta “ Jo” Rucker and Demetrius Yvonne “Von” Rucker. After the birth of her two daughters Bessie attended Austin Community College for two years.

After the death of their mother in 1952 Bessie assumed the responsibility of supporting her Grandmother in the care of her younger sister Brenda. In 1958 Frank and Bessie took on the full responsibility of total care for Brenda due to the death of their Grandmother.

Bessie confessed Jesus Christ at an early age. She became a member of the Alpha SDA Church in about 1962. As a faithful member, she held many church offices including church clerk, assistant adult sabbath school superintendent, adult sabbath school teacher and church daycare administrator. Bessie opened and operated her own In home day care for 30 years after the church daycare closed.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, her ex-husband and their youngest daughter, 5 biological siblings, 8 non-biological siblings and 2 non-biological parents.

Bessie leaves to mourn: Her oldest daughter: Almeta Jo Rucker (Gene); 2 biological sibling’s: Brenda Conley-Batts (Curtis), Barbara Conley-Ivey (Clyde); Sister-N-Laws: Willa Conley, Jill Thomas; 4 non-biological siblings: Zelma Hayes, Emma Thomas, Dorothy McLester, Mary Louise Briscoe; Grand children: Dennis Ray James II (Elizabeth), Deidra Allen (Jamal), Demeka Jordan (Robert); Great Grandchildren: Brionya Mathews (Marcus), Jason Allen (Amanda), Justin Allen, Dekarius Johnson, July Jordan, Kali Jordan, Kahari Jordan; Great Great Grandchildren: Maximus Zion Mathews; Nephews: Theren Conley Sr., Terrence L. Alexander Sr. (Staceia), Antonio Robinson (Katrina), Glen Conley, Darryl Thomas; Nieces: Tavia Philips (Anthony), Ulisa Floyd (Thomas), Kenya Ivey, Crista Ivey; Great Niece’s: T’Asia Alexander, Victoria Fletcher-Alexander, Kia Monroe, Angelia Monroe, Courtney Flowers, Ivey Floyd, Eva Grace Floyd; Great Nephews: Theren Conley Jr., Trayvon Conley, Terrence L. Fletcher-Alexander Jr., LaTeryn Alexander, K’Tron Hervey, Darren Monroe, Korey Floyd, Jordan Flowers, Zion Green; 1st Cousins: Darryl Wayne Lewis, Tabitha Clinton (Eddie), Laura Conley and a whole host of other nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, great great nieces/nephews, cousins and loved ones too numerous to name.